The present invention relates to a system and method for directing an object that has no battery generating a sensory output to a user, with the interactivity of the object powered by an RF-DC energy conversion module.
The abundance of inexpensive and increasingly miniaturized computer processors has greatly influenced recreational and educational games allowing for a high level of interactivity between the user and devices.
Typically, computerized games provide players with a visual display of the game activity through an electronic display system such as a pixilated flat panel display or touch screens. However, such displays lack a three-dimensional nature that prevents the physical interaction inherent in toys and the like. For instance, the traditional toy blocks may use one or more movable game piece that players (especially young ones) find more “natural” and easier to interact with during their play or learning experience. On the other hand, traditional tools and toys often lack audio, visual or other forms of sophisticated feedback that computerized programs and game play can offer to users and players. Therefore, a method that can combine both computerized technology and physical objects can effectively enhance a user's experience by allowing their physical actions to be interpreted by a computer system so as to provide real-time feedback to the user in the form of a multitude of sensorial accessories such as video and/or audio outputs.
The present invention provides a system and method for directing multiple small scale physical objects such as cards, blocks or miniature figurines that can interact with a user through various feedback mediums such as LED lighting, speakers, vibrators, or display devices that are operable with an electric power input less than 100 milli-watt. The objects further power their circuitry through RF to DC energy conversion technology.
In effect, the present invention provides a system and method for directing one or more objects that can effectively enhance traditional tools and playing objects such as cards and blocks by adding an interactive dimension to them. This also allows objects to be wirelessly connected to computer systems which, in turn, can be connected to the internet/servers, thus adding another level of interactivity between the objects and the user.
The present invention provides a system for directing an object that has no battery to generate a sensory output to a user through wireless means. The object does not have an embedded battery but derives power from radio frequency electromagnetic wave energy through the use of an RF energy harvesting module. Once selectively activated, the object provides an output to its user. Such output can be utilized in a variety of entertaining, useful or productive means.
The system includes a plurality of objects and a processor that is configured to send an instruction to objects. A computer program is further operatively linked to the processor and is configured to generate an instruction targeted at a specific object having a specific UID.
The object further includes an RFID tag containing a first RF antenna and an RFID chip containing a microcontroller, a writable data storage means and an unique identification code (UID) of the object, a micro computer unit (MCU) connected to the microcontroller, a miniature sensory device connected to the MCU, a second RF antenna, and an RF energy harvesting module that is connected to the second RF antenna and provides electric power to the MCU and the sensory device.
Upon receiving an instruction by the first antenna, and upon electric power being provided to the MCU and the sensory device by the RF energy harvesting module, the microcontroller of the RFID tag is configured to activate the MCU of the object if the aforementioned object's UID matches the targeted UID embedded in an instruction, and the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device producing a sensory output to a user according to the instruction.
This invention is useful in a variety of fields that require a sensory feedback to an end-user, including education, entertainment and increasing productivity.
The following description includes discussion of figures having illustrations given by way of example of implementations of embodiments of the invention. The drawings should be understood by way of example, not by way of limitation. As used herein, references to one or more “embodiments” are to be understood as describing a particular feature, structure, or characteristic included in at least one implementation of the invention. Thus, phrases such as “in one embodiment” or “in an alternate embodiment” appearing herein describe various embodiments and implementations of the invention, and do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. However, they are also not necessarily mutually exclusive.
While the present invention will be described using specific embodiments, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. People skilled in the art will recognize that the system and method of the present invention may be used in many other applications.
For example, although the notion of “card” is repeatedly used throughout this document to describe the design of the object, it is understood that this in no way is a restriction of the invention and its accompanying claims. In fact the present invention can easily use other designs such as game figurines, blocks, plush toys and the like. Furthermore, although the embodiments described within this document make repeated use of LED lights as the sensory device for the objects, it is understood that any low energy consumption output device such as vibrational, screens or acoustic devices embedded in the objects are all considered within the scope of the present invention.
The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objectives and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention discloses a system for directing a small-scale object wherein an output device embedded in the object can be selectively activated through wireless means. The system includes a plurality of objects and a processor that is configured to send an instruction to objects. A computer program is further operatively linked to the processor and is configured to generate an instruction targeted at a specific object having a specific UID. The object does not have an embedded battery but derives power from radio frequency electromagnetic wave energy through the use of an RF energy harvesting module. Once selectively activated, an object provides an output to its user. Such output can be utilized in a variety of entertaining, useful or productive means.
Referring to
The object includes a game figurine 201 with an electronic module 202 embedded inside. The electronic module 202 includes an RFID tag 203 containing a first RF antenna 204 and an RFID chip 205 containing a microcontroller 211, the object's UID as well as a writable data storage device 212. The electronic module 202 further includes a second RF antenna 206, an RF energy harvesting module 207, a micro computer unit (MCU) 209, and a miniature sensory device 210. The RF energy harvesting module 207 is operatively linked to the second RF antenna 206. The MCU 209 is operatively connected to the microcontroller 211, the RF energy harvesting module 207 and the sensory device 210. The sensory device 210 of the object 201 described in
The object 201 described in
Upon the aforementioned object 201 receiving an instruction in the form of RF transmission sent by the processor and targeted at the UID of the RFID tag 203, and upon electric power being provided to the MCU 209 and the sensory device 210 by the RF energy harvesting module 207, the microcontroller 211 is configured to activate the MCU 209 of the object 201, and the MCU 209 is configured to direct the sensory device 210 producing a sensory output to a user according to the instruction.
The RF energy harvesting module 207 converts RF energy captured by second RF antenna 206 into DC power, and provides power to the MCU 209 and the sensory devices 210. It eliminates the need for a separate power source for the object 201. The RF energy harvesting module 207 can harvest ambient RF energy, or RF energy from a dedicated source, such as the Central RF Antenna. The RF energy harvesting module 207 contains RF-to-DC conversion circuits for converting the RF energy to DC power, and power conditioning circuits that ensures the outputted power meets the power requirement of the MCU 209 and the sensory device 210.
It is noted that the process flow described in
Step 301: generating an instruction comprising a target UID by a computer program operatively linked to a processor configured to send the instruction to the first RF antenna of the object.
Step 302: receiving the instruction comprising the target UID by the first antenna through RF communication between the central RF antenna and the first RF antenna.
Step 303: harvesting RF energy by the second RF antenna.
The RF energy can be emitted from the central RF antenna.
Step 304: converting the RF energy into electric power by the RF energy harvesting module.
Step 305: providing electric power to the MCU and the sensory device by the RF energy harvesting module.
Step 306: activating the MCU by the RFID tag if the target UID matches with the UID of the object.
The RFID tag further includes a microcontroller for activating the MCU, and a writable data storage device for storing the UID of the object and the instruction. If the two UIDs do not match, the instruction is ignored by the microcontroller.
Step 307: directing the sensory device by the MCU to generate a sensory output in accordance with the instruction.
Upon receiving the instruction by the first antenna, and upon electric power being provided to the MCU and the sensory device by the RF energy harvesting module, the microcontroller of the RFID tag is configured to activate the MCU, and the MCU is configured to direct the sensory device to produce a sensory output to a user according to the instruction. The sensory device is operable with an electric power input less than 100 milli-watt, and may be a visual device, an audio device, a vibrator, or a display device.
In the embodiment describe in
Each card 401 of the embodiment described in
The method of the embodiment described in
Looking at the four cards 401 placed within the broadcasting area 406 of the central RF antenna 404 in
There is a multitude of design alternatives for the embodiment described in
The embodiment described above includes an interactive game for young children playing freely with letter cards within a designated area. There are clear educational merits to such a game as it allows children to experiment with letter combinations and learn spelling in a fun and non-restrictive play environment. Furthermore, any language can potentially be chosen for this string-of-letters/word association game.
Although the abovementioned embodiments make use of language-related symbols, it is understood that there are a large number of other options that can be implemented within the premise of the present embodiment. For example, virtually all existing languages, both alphabet-based and non alphabet-based, can be used for the components of the design of the cards. Another potential alternative embodiment involves mathematics games which uses Arabic numerals (or other such as Chinese or Latin numerals) as the symbols printed on the surface of cards. Other card designs involve pictures instead of symbols. The pictures often used on flash cards such as animals, careers, vehicles or the like are all potentially viable options and considered within the scope of the present invention.
In this embodiment, cards 501 with music-related symbols imprinted upon them are placed upon an interactive surface 502 in order to create a melody. The interactive surface 502 is operatively linked to a processor 503. The interactive surface 502 also includes one or more sensors that are also operatively linked to the processor 503 and which are capable of detecting the UID and location of cards 501 placed on top of the interactive surface 502. The interactive surface 502 further includes a central RF antenna 504 and an audio system 505 that are operatively linked to the processor 503. The interactive surface 502 in
The music cards 501 each has an electronic module 509 embedded into them. The electronic module 509 includes an RFID tag 510 containing a first RF antenna 511 and an RFID chip 512 containing a microcontroller 518, the card's UID and a writable data storage device 519. The electronic module 509 further contains a second RF antenna 513, an RF energy harvesting module 514, a micro computer unit (MCU) 517 and one LED light 516. The RF energy harvesting module 514 is operatively connected to the second RF antenna 513. The MCU 517 is operatively connected to the microcontroller 518, the RF energy harvesting module 514 and the LED light 516.
The method for the embodiment described in
Similarly to the previous embodiment depicted in
In order for the computer program linked to the processor 503 to direct card 501 to light up its LED lights 516, the following process is applied. Firstly, once the player chooses to play the melody they have created, they must press the play button 506 or the replay button 507. The processor 503 plays the melody according to the type of music cards 501 and their relative location on the music chord lines. As each note is being played, the computer program is configured to instruct the central RF antenna 504 to send an RF signal to the targeted music card 501. As with the embodiment in
In the embodiment depicted in
Each individual interactive part contained in the embodiment described in
Each miniature train signal 606 has an electronic module 607 embedded into it. The electronic module 607 includes an RFID tag 608 containing a first RF antenna 609 and an RFID chip 610 containing a microcontroller 618, the train signal's 606 UID and a writable data storage device 619. The electronic module 607 further includes a second RF antenna 611, an RF energy harvesting module 612, two LED lights (one red 614 and one green 615), a beeping device 616 and a micro computer unit (MCU) 617. The RF energy harvesting module 612 is operatively connected to the second RF antenna 611. The MCU 617 is operatively connected to the microcontroller 618, the RF energy harvesting module 612, the two LED lights 614, 615, and the beeping device 616.
The method for the miniature train signals 606 illustrated in the embodiment described in
Similar to the previous embodiments the manner in which the train signal 606 is directed by the processor is as follows. According to user defined rules (e.g., the timing and/or proximity of trains approaching the train signal) the processor is configured to send an RF signal to the train signal 606 by targeting its specific UID. Although this RF signal is received by all the interactive parts within the central RF antenna's broadcasting area, since only one UID is contained within the RF signal, all other interactive parts disregard this signal and go back into a sleep mode. Once the targeted train signal's 606 electronic module 607 is powered on and receives and processes the RF data, the LED lights and beeping device are switched on or off according to the instructions sent by the computer program.
This embodiment allows for the interactive parts being powered on and directed without the use of cumbersome and costly wiring that is currently the norm for these kinds of miniature sets.
This application is the entry into US national phase from the International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/086745, filed on Sep. 17, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/085668, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Targeted Object on an Interactive Surface to Produce a Response”, filed on Sep. 1, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/084498, entitled “System and Method for Directing a Moving Object on an Interactive Surface”, filed on Aug. 15, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/079891, entitled “System and Method for Operating a Computer Program with Physical Objects”, filed on Jun. 13, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/072961, entitled “System and Method for Identifying an Object's ID and Location Relative to an Interactive Board”, filed on Mar. 6, 2014, which is a continuation in part to International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/071850, entitled “System and Method for Identifying an Object's ID and Location Relative to an Interactive Board”, filed on Jan. 30, 2014. This application is also a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/080495, entitled “System and Method to Recognize an Object's ID, Orientation and Location Relative to an Interactive Surface”, filed on Jun. 23, 2014, which is a continuation in part of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/079892, entitled “System and Method for Identifying an Object's ID and Location Relative to an Interactive Surface”, filed on Jun. 13, 2014. The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2014/086745 | Sep 2014 | US |
Child | 14681103 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2014/085668 | Sep 2014 | US |
Child | PCT/CN2014/086745 | US | |
Parent | PCT/CN2014/084498 | Aug 2014 | US |
Child | PCT/CN2014/085668 | US | |
Parent | PCT/CN2014/079891 | Jun 2014 | US |
Child | PCT/CN2014/084498 | US | |
Parent | PCT/CN2014/072961 | Mar 2014 | US |
Child | PCT/CN2014/079891 | US | |
Parent | PCT/CN2014/071850 | Jan 2014 | US |
Child | PCT/CN2014/072961 | US | |
Parent | PCT/CN2014/080495 | Jun 2014 | US |
Child | PCT/CN2014/086745 | US | |
Parent | PCT/CN2014/079892 | Jun 2014 | US |
Child | PCT/CN2014/080495 | US |